Mary Eppelheimer
September 2nd, 1923 - June 3rd, 2025
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Mary's Obituary
Mary Eppelheimer, 101, passed from this life peacefully on June 3, 2025 to join family and friends in God’s arms. Mary was born September 2, 1923 near Hastings, Michigan to Harry and Izola Otis Dunn, the youngest of five children. She attended Hastings High School and Western Michigan College, where she studied to become a teacher.
In 1944, she married Donald Eppelheimer in a simple ceremony at a small country church in Hastings. They spent 70 wonderful years together, raising a family, working, entertaining, traveling and playing golf.
Beginning in 1946, she served beside Don as a county 4-H agent in Branch County. They also served in the Michigan State Extension Service in Hillsdale, Ionia and Berrien Counties. Mary’s 4-H Clubs provided guidance to young people teaching sewing, home economics, gardening and animal care. Once they moved to St. Joseph, Mary worked at Michigan Fruit Canners for 20 years in food research and development.
Over the years, Mary was active in many community organizations including The First Congregational Church Choir, Altar Guild, Women’s Fellowship and Board of Trustees, Boy Scouts, Monday Musical, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was a talented seamstress, making most all of her own clothing and an amazing homemaker, hostess and cook. Even today, Mary’s recipes are prized by the entire family.
Mary is survived by her three sons, Charles (Sandi Lee) of Chico, CA; Kenneth (Bonny Baker) of Conifer, CO and Robert (Cean Carlson) of Stevensville. She loved her family and was proud of the lives and accomplishments of her children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The Eppelheimer family would like to acknowledge the gentle, loving care she received from all of the Caretel staff and Centrica Care Navigators. Few people in our world have the skill and heart to care for our most vulnerable people at the end of life. Our deepest appreciation for the loving kindness and care they shared with Mary and our family. Special thanks to Kammy, Liz, Sherry, Jessi, Raven, Emorej, Danna, Laticia and Ronisha at Caretel and Kendra, Jen, Chris and Kevin at Centrica Care Navigators.
A celebration of life will take place later in the summer, August 9th at 1pm, at the First Congregational Church, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Centrica Care Navigators, the First Congregational Church of St. Joseph, and the Michigan Audubon Otis Bird Sanctuary.
In 1944, she married Donald Eppelheimer in a simple ceremony at a small country church in Hastings. They spent 70 wonderful years together, raising a family, working, entertaining, traveling and playing golf.
Beginning in 1946, she served beside Don as a county 4-H agent in Branch County. They also served in the Michigan State Extension Service in Hillsdale, Ionia and Berrien Counties. Mary’s 4-H Clubs provided guidance to young people teaching sewing, home economics, gardening and animal care. Once they moved to St. Joseph, Mary worked at Michigan Fruit Canners for 20 years in food research and development.
Over the years, Mary was active in many community organizations including The First Congregational Church Choir, Altar Guild, Women’s Fellowship and Board of Trustees, Boy Scouts, Monday Musical, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was a talented seamstress, making most all of her own clothing and an amazing homemaker, hostess and cook. Even today, Mary’s recipes are prized by the entire family.
Mary is survived by her three sons, Charles (Sandi Lee) of Chico, CA; Kenneth (Bonny Baker) of Conifer, CO and Robert (Cean Carlson) of Stevensville. She loved her family and was proud of the lives and accomplishments of her children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The Eppelheimer family would like to acknowledge the gentle, loving care she received from all of the Caretel staff and Centrica Care Navigators. Few people in our world have the skill and heart to care for our most vulnerable people at the end of life. Our deepest appreciation for the loving kindness and care they shared with Mary and our family. Special thanks to Kammy, Liz, Sherry, Jessi, Raven, Emorej, Danna, Laticia and Ronisha at Caretel and Kendra, Jen, Chris and Kevin at Centrica Care Navigators.
A celebration of life will take place later in the summer, August 9th at 1pm, at the First Congregational Church, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Centrica Care Navigators, the First Congregational Church of St. Joseph, and the Michigan Audubon Otis Bird Sanctuary.
Memorial Contributions
Centrica Care Navigators
First Congregational Church of St. Joseph
Michigan Audubon Otis Bird Sanctuary
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